What does assault in a legal context involve?

In a legal context, assault primarily involves making a threat that causes a person to fear imminent harm. This offense does not require physical contact; rather, it focuses on the intent to create apprehension or fear of harm in another individual. The key element is the perception of the victim—whether the victim feels threatened or unsafe as a result of the aggressor’s actions or statements.

While causing physical harm might relate more closely to the concept of battery, where actual physical contact occurs, assault is distinct in that it is concerned with the threat of harm itself. The other options, such as spreading false information and providing negligent care, pertain to different legal issues, such as defamation and malpractice, respectively, and do not fall under the traditional definition of assault.